Humidifier valve assemblies

ABSTRACT

A corrosion resistant water intake valve assembly for a humidifier comprises an integral combined inlet conduit, discharge nozzle and shroud unit, a valve element support member unit adapted to mount a resilient valve element for coaction with the nozzle pivoted on the shroud, and a float attachment arm unit pivoted in said valve element support unit, each of said units being integrally formed of synthetic plastic material.

United States Patent 1191 Yeagle 1 Feb. 4, 1975 [54] HUMIDIFIER VALVE ASSEMBLIES 3,405,687 10/1968 Ruter .1 137/448 X 3,508,574 4/1970 Skerritt l26/ll3 X Inventor. Richard J Yeag'ei, Glen Hills Mani I I i I 1 i I I I H Hartland, Mlch- 43029 3,595,269 7/1971 Yeagle 126/113 x [22] Filed: May 24, 1973 Primary ExaminerMart1n P. Schwadron pp N04 3631620 Assistant Examiner-David R. Matthews Rehted LS. Appncafion Data Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Strauch, Nolan, Neale, Nies [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 157,368, June 28, Km

l97l, P t. N 1,774,588.

3 57 ABSTRACT [5 1 US. Cl 137/437, 137/443, 137/446, A corrosion resistant water intake valve assembly for a l37/448, 251/234 humidifier comprises an integral combined inlet con- [51] Int. Cl. Fl6k 31/24 d it, d rg z l and r ud unit. a va v el [58] Field of Search 137/434, 436, 437, 442, mm upport member unit adapted to mount a resil- 137/443, 446, 448; 251/234; 126/113 ient valve element for coaction with the nozzle pivoted on the shroud, and a float attachment arm unit [56] References Cited pivoted in said valve element support unit, each of UNITED STATES PATENTS said units being integrally formed of synthetic plastic 3,073,297 1/1963 Martin 126/113 mater'al 3,099,286 7/1963 Powers 137/448 11 Claims, 19 Drawing Figures 3,863 670 SHEEI m 4 PATENIEU FEB 4am FIG. I3

1 HUMIDIFIER VALVE ASSEMBLIES This is a Continuation-ln-Part of copending application Ser. No. l57.368 filed June 28. l97| for Humidifiers. now U.S. Pat. No. 3,774,588 issued Nov. 27. I973.

This invention relates to valve assemblies for humidifiers and particularly to special water intake valve construction.

In its preferred embodiment the invention will be described as incorporated in a humidifier of the type wherein a rotor carrying a peripheral sleeve of open pore polyurethane is slowly rotated with its lower sector passing through a body of water automatically maintained at a working level by a float controlling a water intake valve.

Humidifiers of this general type have been proposed as disclosed for example in Wentling et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,266,481.

Humidifiers of this type have encountered maintenance problems due to corrosion at the water intake and particularly at the mounting for the float controlled valve, and it is the major object of this invention to provide a novel valve unit and mounting wherein a water discharge nozzle is integrally incorporated in a special plastic non-metallic valve part having an integral intake conduit and an integral shroud surrounding the nozzle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel integral synthetic plastic combined valve inlet nozzle and shroud member having a special drip lip.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel corrosion resistant valve and float connection mechanism for a humidifier.

While an effort has been made to provide a valve arrangement of this type as disclosed in Wentling et al. No. 3,149,626 the invention distinguishes thereover in structural simplicity and improved mode of operation.

Further objects will appear as the description proceeds in connection with the appended claims and annexed drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation partially broken away and partly sectioned showing a humidifier assembly according to a preferred embodiment;

FIG. IA is an enlarged fragmentary section substantially on line IA-lA in FIG. I;

FIG. 1B is a fragmentary section substantially on line 18-18 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is an exploded elevational view partly broken away and in section further illustrating the assembly;

FIG. 2A is a fragmentary view mainly in section showing the drive coupling between the motor and rotor shafts;

FIG. 3 is an end elevation of the assembly;

FIG. 3A is an enlarged sectional view substantially on line 3A-3A of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the top part of the assem- FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the bottom part of the assembly;

FIG. 6 is a section substantially on line 6-6 of FIG. 5 and illustrating mounting of the assembly in a plenum;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary section on line 7-7 in FIG. 6 showing a mounting detail;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation in section showing one embodiment of the water inlet valve assembly;

FIG. 9 is a front end view partly in section on line 9-9 of FIG. 8 showing details of the valve and shroud;

FIG. 10 is a section substantially on line III-I0 of FIG. 9;

FIG. II is a front end view of the integral valve nozzle and shroud unit. similar to FIG. 9 but with the movable valve clement removed for clarity of disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a section substantially on line IZ-IZ in FIG. II;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation mainly in section showing a further embodiment of the intake valve assembly;

FIG. I4 is an end view of the valve assembly suhstantially at the line I4-I4 in FIG. 13; and

FIG. I5 is an exploded view of the valve assembly of FIG. I3.

PREFERRED EMBODIM ENTS Referring to FIGS. l-S; the humidifier assembly of the invention comprises a two part housing II consisting essentially of an integral upper member I2 that is of inverted U-shaped as viewed in elevation (FIG. 2) and a lower pan'like member 13 detachably secured across the open bottom of the upper member 12.

Upper member 12 has a top wall [4 and opposite end walls I5 and 16. A rear wall 17 is formed over its major portion with a downwardly facing opening IS. A front wall I9 is formed over its major portion with a downwardly facing opening 21. These openings I8 and 2] are preferably rectangular, of the same size and in lateral alignment with each other, and their functions will be later described.

As illustrated in FIGS. I and IA, front wall I9 is slightly recessed to form across the front of upper member I2 an internal ledge 20 around its perimeter.

Lower housing member I3 is in the form of a pan having a bottom wall 22, opposite end walls 23 and 24 and opposite front and rear walls 25 and 26.

As shown in FIG. 5, the end walls of lower member 13 are formed with a plurality of integral bosses 27 each having an upwardly open bore 28. As shown in FIG. 6, the end walls of upper member 12 are formed with a corresponding plurality of integral bosses 29 each terminating in a downwardly projecting pin 31 sized and located to fit slidably within bores 28 in the assembly. The flat lower edge of upper member 12 lies in a horizontal planar surface as indicated at 32, and the flat upper edge of lower member I3 lies in a horizontal planar surface as indicated at 33. In the assembly these surfaces 32 and 33 are each continuous and in flush engagement along their coextensive portions.

Along the lower edges of end walls 15 and I6 of the upper housing member are formed externally projecting lips 34 and 35 respectively, and along the upper edges ofend walls 23 and 24 of the lower housing member are formed corresponding external lips 36 and 37. Lip 35 comprises two sections in alignment but it could be one section. As illustrated in FIG. 3A. at one end lips 34 and 36 are in flush coextensive surface contact over extensions of planar surfaces 32 and 33. Lips 34 and 36 are each undercut to provide inwardly sloping surfaces 38 and 37 respectively inclined at the same angle toward the zone of engagement of the lips whereby when in engagement the lips form a substantially dovetailed tongue.

A clamp fastener strip 41 extends the length of the housing at each side. As shown in FIG. 3A. this strip is U-shaped with its legs 42 and 43 inclined toward each other at about the same angle as the angle of inclination as lip surfaces 37 and 38, so that strip 41 may be mounted to slide endwise at one side embracing both lips 34 and 36. Similarly lips 35 and 37 at the other end of the housing assembly are formed and engaged in the manner shown in FIG. 3A and a second clamp fastener strip 41 slidably mounted endwise thereon. When both strips 41 are mounted as above described the upper and lower housing members are adequately secured together. and they may be separated simply by sliding the strips 41 endwise of the respective lips.

At one end. wall 16 of the upper housing is formed with a large circular opening 42 surrounded by an integral projecting collar 43 adapted as will appear to be connected to an air flow conduit.

The housing members 12 and 13 are preferably inte gral molded units, made of a rigid bard smooth plastic material that is inert with respect to water. Strips 41 are each integral formed units. which may be severed lengths of a longer strip, of a plastic material which is fairly stiff but preferably more elastic than the material of the body so that a strip 41 can assume a fair frictional grip when installed along the lips and also be capable of adapting to small dimensional differences.

The humidifier assembly includes a water intake valve assembly 44 (FIG. 8). a humidifier rotor assembly 45. (FIG. 2) and an electric drive motor 46.

The intake valve assembly comprises an integral molded plastic nozzle and a surrounding cup-shaped shroud element 47 having a relatively flat back wall 48 adapted to seat against the inner lower side of front wall 19 of the upper housing member as shown in FIG. 8. Integral with shroud wall 48 is a projecting externally threaded hollow boss 49 that extends through an opening 51 in the housing member, and a suitable nut and washer assembly 52 on boss 49 secures the valve assembly rigidly upon the upper housing member with shroud wall 48 tight against housing wall 19.

Within the shroud projects an integral hollow discharge nozzle 53 having a rounded apertured tip 54 formed with a discharge port 55. A water supply conduit (not shown) may be attached to boss 49 which has a common internal passage 56 with nozzle 53.

A metal valve element support 57 is pivoted on a transverse pin 58 extending between the sides of the shroud. This pin may be a simple cotter key extending through aligned shroud apertures as shown. Support 57 has an upstanding tongue 59 adapted to have slipped thereon a resilient valve seating element 61 which in the valve closed position of FIG. closes discharge port 55. As shown. valve element 61 is U-shaped and formed with parallel internal grooves 62 and 63 enabling it to be removed and reversed for double wear. This reversible valve element and its pivotal mount are preferably the same as disclosed in Powers U.S. Pat. No. 3.099.286.

Support 57 has fixed thereto at 64 the arm 65 of a float 66 disposed within the confines of lower housing member 13. Lower housing member 13, as stated before, not only closes the bottom of the housing assembly but also serves as a pan for containing a body of water into which extends the lower periphery of rotor 45 in the assembly. Float 66 supported in the water body controls the amount of water in the pan by shut ting off the water intake valve when a predetermined level is reached. and opening the valve when that level falls.

The lower edge of shroud 47 is formed with an integral depending drip lip 67 that controls drainage when the valve is in the final closing stage. By providing an integral shroud. boss and nozzle unit of water resistant plastic this phase of the invention insures against water leakage and corrosion of the mounting of the valve unit on the housing, as well as reducing the time and cost of assembly.

Referring to FIG. 2, the bottom wall of the lower housing member is formed with an upstanding integral hollow boss 68 mounting overflow tube 69, the open upper end of which is just above the normal water level controlled by the float. Preferably the diameter of tube 69, the lower end of which may be coupled to a suitable drain hose (not shown) is sufficient to provide a drain flow rate equal to the fully open valve discharge should the valve float or linkage be damaged or should the valve stick fully open for some reason. A removable drain plug is provided in the bottom wall at 70.

The rotor assembly 45 comprises a support shaft 71. a generally cylindrical wire skeleton frame 72 secured on the shaft and a cylindrical annulus 73 of open pore polyurethane or equivalent water pick up material mounted on the frame. One end of the rotor is closed, as by plate 74 secured on the shaft, and the other end is open. One end of shaft 71 is seated freely rotatably in an upwardly open bearing 75 on a transverse bridge 76 extending across opening 42 and secured to the upper housing member by screws 77. The other end of shaft 71 has a flattened enlarged section 78 slidable axially into a nylon or like coupling member 79 fixed on the output shaft 81 of motor 46 as shown in FIG. 2A. Motor unit 46 which is mounted on wall 15 is of the slow speed type incorporating reduction gearing for rotating the rotor assembly at a slow speed of about one to four revolutions per minute, and as the rotor rotates the lower sector of annulus 73 passes through the water body in the lower housing member.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate mounting of the entire humidifier assembly on the side of a sheet metal plenum 81, which can be either a hot air plenum or a cold air plenum. A suitable rectangular opening 82 is cut in the wall of the plenum. as by shears, this opening being of corresponding size (preferably slightly smaller) to housing openings 18 and 21. Then three mounting brackets 83 are attached by screws 84 along the upper and two side edges of plenum opening 82. As shown in FIG. 7, each bracket 83 projects away from the plenum to terminate in a flange 85 that extends through and around the corresponding edge of rear opening 18 of the upper housing member 12 so that. as shown in FIG. 6, the U-shaped upper housing member 12 may be mounted directly on the plenum by sliding it downwardly along the side brackets until the horizontal top bracket receives the upper edge of opening 18. The housing is then supported by the brackets 83 with plenum opening 82 in alignment with housing opening 18. It will be observed that the mounting of the housing assembly on the plenum is such that the lower housing member can be readily detached. by slipping off strips 41, and cleaned without disturbing the housing attachment to the plenum.

The brackets 83 should be secured in such relative horizontal and vertical positions that the attached lower housing member I3 will be substantially accurately horizontal for obtaining a proper water level therein.

Since side openings I8 and 2] are of the same size and aligned, the upper housing member I2 may be reversed from the disposition shown to mount wall I9 on the bracket 83 which would align housing opening 2] with the plenum opening. The lower housing member would be mounted on the upper housing member with ledge 86 forward. In such case the valve assembly would be mounted in an opening 5I in wall 2I which would then be the front wall of the upper housing member.

In operation, the assembly II is mounted on the plenum and collar 43 is connected to a suitable bypass conduit for admitting the air to be humidified into the assembly. This air enters the open end of rotor 45 and picks up water in passing through the rotor annulus and enters the plenum through opening 82.

When there is an accumulation of lime or the like in the pan, the lower housing member I3 may be speedily detached from the mounted upper housing member (by removal of strips 41), cleaned and restored to operative position.

When the housing assembly is mounted on the plenum, the front wall opening is closed by a removable front plate 85 that seats at its lower end on ledge 86 of wall 25 of the lower housing member (FIG. 13) and has a resilient latch 87 coacting with the upper edge of opening 21. A manual knob 88 is fixed on plate 85.

Should the rotor 45 be damaged, or the annulus be clogged or otherwise require cleaning, it is not necessary to separate the housing members. Removal of the rotor can be accomplished by detaching front plate 85, lifting the free end of shaft 71 out of bearing 75 and pulling the shaft axially out of coupling 79. The rotor now may be extracted through opening 18 which is large enough for the purpose.

The above described upper and lower housing members are preferably constructed of a glass filled polyester plastic that is not corroded by water or the usual chemicals encountered in municipal water systems, and dimensionally stable when subjected to hot air at the usual space heating temperatures.

The humidifier of the invention requires fewer parts, and their assembly is simple and rapid and requires no special tools. No tools are needed for servicing it. It is inexpensive to manufacture and although small in size has a high air moisturizing capacity.

The bottom housing member is a pan that may be detached for cleaning without disturbing the mount of the humidifier on the plenum, and access for replacement of the water pick up annulus is gained by merely removing the front closure plate so that the rotor may be detached from the drive and pulled out without disturbing the housing connections.

The pan 25 preferably has a bottom that slopes downwardly toward the front side whereby loose minerals and like particles may be carried by water flow to the drain at 70 when the plug is removed. This arrangement permits a larger accumulation of particles in the pan before cleaning is necessary.

Referring to FIG. 2, it will be noted that there is a step 86 at the juncture of overflow tube 69 and boss 68. This essentially provides a visual water level gauge,

with the normal water depth in the pan being approximately up to the step.

FIGS. [3-15 illustrate an embodiment wherein the housing members, rotor mounting and drive and most parts are the same as in FIGS. Il2. As indicated by the same reference numerals but wherein certain of the valve parts are different as will now be described.

In this embodiment the combination shroud and inlet nozzle unit 47 and its mounting on the housing are the same as in FIGS. l-I2. The valve support member 57 has been replaced by an integral synthetic valve support member 157 which is freely pivoted upon transverse cotter key pin 58.

As shown member I57 comprises a central generally vertical web I58, the upper end of which is formed to provide an upstanding tongue 159 adapted to receive the reversible and interchangeable resilient valve element 61. Projecting forwardly from web I58 are a pair of laterally spaced parallel identical arms I6] and 162 formed with aligned pivot holes I63 and I64 at a level near the bottom of tongue I59. Arms 16] and I62 are interconnected by a transverse web brace I65.

The side walls of shroud 47 are thickened for strength as indicated at 50 where they are formed with aligned pivot holes receiving cotter pin key 58, and the lateral spacing of arms 161 and I62 is such that they are adjacently parallel to the side walls of the shroud in the assembly, so that there is little or no lateral rocking of the support member I57 relative to the shroud.

A downwardly open U-shaped arm 166 extends rearwardly from web I58, and its opposite parallel flat legs are formed with transversely aligned holes I67 receiving a cotter pin key 168. An integral float arm I7I comprises an upper flat sided forwardly projecting end section I72 freely slidably pivoted within the arm 166 on pin I68. Float arm I7I at its rear end 173 is threaded or otherwise suitably formed for connection to float 66. The slidable fit of float arm I71 within U- shaped support member arm 166 is such that there is little or no lateral rocking of the float arm relative to member 157.

Referring to FIG. 13 it will be seen that in the assembly, when the water level in the pan rises, float 66 will rise to rock arm l7I counterclockwise about pivot I68. An adjustable stop I74 which may be a set screw threaded into a bore 177 in the upper end of arm I66 abuts the flat upper face I75 of the float arm whereby, when the float has risen sufficiently to cause engagement between face and stop I74, further rise of the float will rock arm 17] and member 157 together as a unit counterclockwise about pivot 58 until the resilient valve element 61 contacts and closes the end of water inlet nozzle 53. Pivots 58 and I68 are parallel, and pivot 168 is below and rearwardly of pivot 58.

By adjustment of stop 174, the water level in the pan can be selected for optimum performance. A float arm adjustable connection of this general type is disclosed in Skerritt Pat. No. 3,508,574.

A central web brace 176 extends between tongue 159 and the upper wall of arm 166.

The operation of the embodiment of FIGS. 13-15 is otherwise essentially the same as that of FIGS. I-IZ.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A valve assembly for a humidifier comprising an integral combined inlet conduit, discharge nozzle and shroud member formed of water resistant shape retaining plastic, said shroud being cup-shaped and comprising a rear wall from opposite sides of which project said conduit and nozzle in generally horizontal alignment and comprising a continuous side wall laterally spaced from said nozzle and projecting away from said wall beyond said nozzle, a valve support member pivoted directly on a pin extending between opposed shroud side wall portions for rockably mounting said valve support member for movement about a generally horizontal axis that is disposed below the level of said nozzle and at right angles to said nozzle, said valve support mem ber having a lower portion projecting rearwardly out of said shroud. 3 depending float attachment arm mounted on said lower portion of the valve support member externally of said shroud and having means on its lower end for securing it to a float, and a valve element having a resilient face for engaging the open end of said nozzle mounted on said valve support member.

2. The valve assembly defined in claim 1, wherein a drip lip extends across the lower edge of the shroud.

3. The valve assembly defined in claim 2, wherein said drip lip is a relatively shallow depending portion of said lower edge of the shroud.

4. The valve assembly defined in claim 1, wherein said pin is removable from the assembly by endwise sliding through said shroud side wall portion, to detach said float arm. valve support arm and valve element a unit from the assembly for rapid servicing or replacement of said valve element.

5. A corrosion resistant valve assembly for a humidifier comprising an integral combined inlet conduit, discharge nozzle and shroud member formed of water resistant shape retaining synthetic plastic, a valve element support member integrally formed of water resistant shape retaining synthetic plastic pivoted within said shroud and having an upstanding tongue for mounting a resilient valve element adapted to engage said nozzle, a float arm integrally formed of water resistant shape retaining plastic pivoted on said support member, means on said support member preventing lateral rocking of said float arm on its pivot, and means for connecting said float arm and valve element support member for rocking movement together in one direction after predetermined movement of said float arm in response to float displacement.

6. The valve assembly defined in claim 5. comprising means providing an adjustable connection between said float arm and said valve element support member.

7. ln a corrosion resistant float controlled valve assembly for a humidifier, means providing a water inlet nozzle, a valve element support member integrally formed of synthetic plastic material pivoted about a transverse axis and formed with an upstanding tongue adapted to receive a resilient valve element for cooperation with said nozzle, an integral synthetic plastic float arm pivoted on said member about a spaced parallel axis, and means interconnecting said arm and member for pivotal support together about said first axis for moving said element to close said nozzle.

8. In the valve assembly defined in claim 7, said member being formed forwardly of said tongue with parallel arms by which it is pivoted in said assembly and being formed rearwardly of said tongue with a U-shapcd arm pivotally receiving one end of said float arm.

9. In the valve assembly defined in claim 8. an adjustable abutment mounted on said U-shaped arm adapted to be engaged by said float arm to provide said connection between the float arm and the valve element support member.

10. In the valve assembly defined in claim 7, a shroud integral with said nozzle and having spaced substantially parallel opposed side walls, and said valve element support member being formed forwardly of said tongue with parallel pivot arms disposed respectively adjacent the opposite side walls of the shroud 1]. In the valve assembly defined in claim 10, said member being formed rearwardly of said tongue with a downwardly open U-shaped arm within which is freely pivotally disposed the flat sided upper end of said float arm, and an adjustable abutment is mounted in the upper end of said U-shaped arm projecting to engage a face on said upper end of said float arm. 

1. A valve assembly for a humidifier comprising an integral combined inlet conduit, discharge nozzle and shroud member formed of water resistant shape retaining plastic, said shroud being cup-shaped and comprising a rear wall from opposite sides of which project said conduit and nozzle in generally horizontal alignment and comprising a continuous side wall laterally spaced from said nozzle and projecting away from said wall beyond said nozzle, a valve support member pivoted directly on a pin extending between opposed shroud side wall portions for rockably mounting said valve support member for movement about a generally horizontal axis that is disposed below the level of said nozzle and at right angles to said nozzle, said valve support member having a lower portion projecting rearwardly out of said shroud, a depending float attachment arm mounted on said lower portion of the valve support member externally of said shroud and having means on its lower end for securing it to a float, and a valve element having a resilient face for engaging the open end of said nozzle mounted on said valve support member.
 2. The valve assembly defined in claim 1, wherein a drip lip extends across the lower edge of the shroud.
 3. The valve assembly defined in claim 2, wherein said drip lip is a relatively shallow depending portion of said lower edge of the shroud.
 4. The valve assembly defined in claim 1, wherein said pin is removable from the assembly by endwise sliding through said shroud side wall portion, to detach said float arm, valve support arm and valve element as a unit from the assembly for rapid servicing or replacement of said valve element.
 5. A corrosion resistant valve assembly for a humidifier comprising an integral combined inlet conduit, discharge nozzle and shroud member formed of water resistant shape retaining synthetic plastic, a valve element support member integrally formed of water resistant shape retaining synthetic plastic pivoted within said shroud and having an upstanding tongue for mounting a resilient valve element adapted to engage said nozzle, a float arm integrally formed of water resistant shape retaining plastic pivoted on said support member, means on said support member preventing lateral rocking of said float arm on its pivot, and means for connecting said float arm and valve element support member for rocking movement together in one direction after predetermined movement of said float arm in response to float displacement.
 6. The valve assembly defined in claim 5, comprising means providing an adjustable connection between said float arm and said valve element support member.
 7. In a corrosion resistant float controlled valve assembly for a humidifier, means providing a water inlet nozzle, a valve element support member integrally formed of synthetic plastic material pivoted about a transverse axis and formed with an upstanding tongue adapted to receive a resilient valve element for cooperation with said nozzle, an integral synthetic plastic float arm pivoted on said member about a spaced parallel axis, and means interconnecting said arm and member for pivotal support together about said first axis for moving said element to close said nozzle.
 8. In the valve assembly defined in claim 7, said member being formed forwardly of said tongue with parallel arms by which it is pivoted in said assembly and being formed rearwardly of said tongue with a U-shaped arm pivotally receiving one end of said float arm.
 9. In the valve assembly defined in claim 8, an adjustable abutment mounted on said U-shaped arm adapted to be engaged by said float arm to provide said connection between the float arm and the valve element support member.
 10. In the valve assembly defined in claim 7, a shroud integral with said nozzle and having spaced substantially parallel opposed side walls, and said valve element support member being formed forwardly of said tongue with parallel pivot arms disposed respectively adjacent the opposite side walls of the shroud.
 11. In the valve assembly defined in claim 10, said member being formed rearwardly of said tongue with a downwardly open U-shaped arm within which is freely pivotally disposed the flat sided upper end of said float arm, and an adjustable abutment is mounted in the upper end of said U-shaped arm projecting to engage a face on said upper end of said float arm. 